Abstract/Description

The Situation Analysis and Needs Assessment is part of the baseline study of CCAFS climate-smart villages
in Southeast Asia. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and collection of secondary data were
conducted from the village to provincial levels. The Pailom village, one of CCAFS benchmark sites, is located
in Champhone district, Savannakhet Province, Laos. Savannakhet province is lowland at the western part
and the upland at the eastern part. The province, including Pailom village, frequently experiences drought
and crop damage from pests and diseases. Rice production is the main source of people’s livelihood. Due to
lack of irrigation and low fertile soil, rice yield is low, ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 tons per hectare. The increasing
population growth and negative impacts of climate change contribute to the yearly food shortage in the
area. The number of migrant workers from the rural area of the province to the cities and neighboring
countries, especially Thailand is increasing.
There are not many organizations operating in Pailom village and it is equally uncommon to find
organizations working on food security and food crisis issues. Information networking for agricultural
activities is mainly established between farmers. There is poor dissemination of agricultural information or
technical support from agricultural extension workers and responsible agencies. The identified priorities of
farmers in Pailom village include strengthening and promoting agricultural research extension to gather
information on fertilizer management, sustainable agricultural production techniques, pest and disease
management, and adoption of drought and salinity resistant crop varieties and appropriate husbandry
techniques.